Rubicon Theatre Company Announces BROADWAY CONCERT SERIES

The 2018 Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company kicks off with five intimate concerts by award-winning stars of the Great White Way, including Tony Award-winner Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls), L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award-winner Jason Graae (RTC's Return to the Forbidden Planet, Falsettos), Helen Hayes Award-winners David Burnham (The Light in the Piazza) and Tami Tappan (RTC's Streetcar Named Desire, Miss Saigon), husband-and-wife duo Megan McGinnis and Adam Halpin (Daddy Long Legs), Ovation nominee Eric Kunze (Evita), and Nashville-based singer Melissa Hammans (Back to the Garden). The two-day concerts feature a talkback with the artists following the final performance. All performances take place at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. Tickets for the general public are $55. Tickets for students with ID are $35; Equity members and military are $40. There is a $5 discount for seniors 65 and older. Season ticketholders save 15%. Group discounts are also available. Broadway Concert tickets may be purchased in person through the Rubicon Theatre Company Box Office at the corner of Main and Laurel in Ventura (Laurel entrance and downstairs) or online at www.rubicontheatre.org. To charge by phone, call 805.667.2900.

This year's Broadway Concert Series kicks off with dynamic duo Jason Graae and Faith Prince as they sing their "most requested and memorable Broadway numbers" in YOU AND ME, BUT MOSTLY WE. The show features a tribute to Jerry Herman, composer of Hello, Dolly! and Mame, who has been "a significant influence...both personally and professionally" on each of the performers. Graae and Prince have also performed together in their club show The Prince and the Showboy, which included their personalized version of the song "You and Me (But Mostly Me)" from The Book of Mormon. They shared a New York Nightlife Award for their collaboration.

Jason Graae was last seen at Rubicon as the roller-skating robot Ariel in Return to the Forbidden Planet and in the concert version of Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along and High Button Shoes. He was featured on Broadway in A Grand Night for Singing, Falsettos, Stardust, Snoopy! and Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up?. Off-Broadway credits include Forever Plaid, Olympus on My Mind, All in the Timing, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination - Best Actor in a Musical) and many more. He has performed his one-man cabaret show all over the country, from Rainbow and Stars and Birdland in NYC to Feinstein's and the Plush Room in L.A. and San Francisco, winning 4 Bistro Awards, a N.Y. Nightlife Award and TimeOut NY's award for Top Cabaret Show of the Year. His show with Faith Prince at 54 Below earned the pair a second Nightlife Award for Best Duo. Jason has hosted the Bistro Awards, The NYC MAC Awards, the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards, and the Robby Awards. In L.A., Jason won a second L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award - the Joel Hirschorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre. He won an Ovation Award for Forbidden Broadway Y2KLA!, an Artistic Director's Achievement Award for Fully Committed, and an Indy Award for High Button Shoes at Rubicon. Jason originated the role of Houdini in the L.A. production of Ragtime at the Shubert Theatre. At the Hollywood Bowl, he was Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls and Marcellus in The Music Man. He was nominated for a Bay Area Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Scrooge in Scrooge in Love.

On television, Jason has appeared on many shows including "Six Feet Under," "Rude Awakening," "Friends," "Frasier," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "Living Single," "Caroline in the City," "Providence," and more. On PBS, he was a guest soloist twice with the Boston Pops and once with Marvin Hamlisch and the National Symphony. Movie appearances include the title role in "Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms," Disney's "Home on the Range," "On Edge," "Gepetto," "The Dukes of Hazzard in Hollywood" and "Awakening of Spring." He has been heard on many cartoons, and for 5-1/2 years he was the voice of the Leprechaun for Lucky Charms Cereal. Jason made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the male vocalist in Twyla Tharp's Everlast with the American Ballet Theatre. He made his L.A. Opera debut as Njegus in The Merry Widow, repeating the role in Detroit (with Deborah Voigt), Dallas, New Orleans and Houston. Also with L.A. Opera, he was featured as Offenbach in The Grand Duchess, directed by Garry Marshall. Jason has played Frosch in Die Fledermaus with the Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Manhattan School of Music.

Faith Prince has been dazzling Broadway audiences since winning the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as Ms. Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. As one of Broadway's best-loved leading ladies, Faith most recently starred on Broadway in Disaster! The Musical, for which she received rave reviews. In a role she was born to play, she also starred as the scheming, irascible Miss Hannigan in the Broadway revival of Annie. In 2008, she was nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for John Bucchino's A Catered Affair. Other Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Bells are Ringing (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Nick & Nora (Outer Critics Circle Award), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), Little Me, The Dead, and Noises Off. She also starred in the World Premiere of Terrence McNally's Unusual Acts of Devotion and in the national tour of the Broadway hit Billy Elliott. Chicago audiences had the opportunity to see Faith onstage in the iconic role of Brenda in the new musical version of the hit movie First Wives Club.

Faith plays a recurring character on the ABC hit series "Modern Family." She also recurred as Joey Lawrence's mother on ABC Family's long-running series "Melissa & Joey," and wrapped her five-season run as Brooke Elliott's mother on Lifetime's popular series "Drop Dead Diva." She was a series regular on Showtime's "Huff," starring as Kelly Knippers, the love interest of Oliver Platt, and recurred for five seasons on "Spin City."

Other television credits include "Scream Queens," "Galavant," "Angel from Hell," "A Gifted Man," "Happy Endings," "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI," "Faith," "House," "Medium," "Sweet Potato Queens," "Monk," "Now and Again," "Welcome to New York," and "Law and Order." Film credits include "Our Very Own," "Picture Perfect," "Dave," and "My Father the Hero." She recently traveled to Australia for a concert tour with her Annie co-star Anthony Warlow, which included performances at the Sydney Opera House and the Adelaide Music Festival. She works often with the Boston Pops, Utah Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, and Philly Pops, and starred in the Orlando Philharmonic's concert version of Sweeney Todd. Faith toured her original show Moving On in Australia to rave reviews, and also toured in Over the Rainbow, a concert celebrating the centennial of Harold Arlen. Faith's new album, Total Faith, was recorded at the Royal Room in the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and was recently released by Broadway Records. Her award-winning album, A Leap of Faith, was recorded at Joe's Pub.

YOU AND ME, BUT MOSTLY WE will be presented for two-performances-only on Saturday, January 6, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 7, at 2 p.m.

In late February, Rubicon presents AN EVENING WITH Eric Kunze. This Broadway veteran (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) possesses a rich baritone and incredible vocal range. The evening of story and song features highlights from some of his signature roles. Eric has starred in leading roles on Broadway for the better part of his professional career. He was most recently seen in the roles of Prince Eric in the National Tour of Disney's The Little Mermaid and Captain Phoebus in the critically-acclaimed The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well being recently reunited with Lea Salonga as Bruce Bechdel in the International Premiere of Fun Home in Manila. He starred as The Man in the National Touring of Whistle Down the Wind for which he won an IRNE Award for best actor in a musical, and appeared for two years as the title character in the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar with Carl Anderson.

Off-Broadway and regional credits include Leopard's Leap, directed by Michael Rupert. He received rave reviews for the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Muny, Reagle, KC Starlight, Sacramento Music Circus and San Diego CLO earning a San Diego Critics Circle Nomination and IRNE Award), Che in Evita (LA Ovation Nomination), Tony in West Side Story, the Prince in Into the Woods, the title role in Pippin (LA Robbie Award), Lt. Cable in South Pacific and the title role in the Who's Tommy in Los Angeles.

Recent orchestral appearances include national and international performances with Do You Hear the People Sing - the Dream Concert, Music of the Night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC., as well as appearing as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Hartford Symphony and the Cincinnati Pops. His CD, "My Collection" is available on Amazon and iTunes.

Performances of AN EVENING WITH Eric Kunze are scheduled for Saturday, February 24, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 25 at 2 p.m.

In April, vocalist Melissa Hammans of Back to the Garden returns to Rubicon by popular demand with her newest concert NASHVILLE GAL, featuring music from the first ladies of country music: Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and others. From the Kentucky coal mines to the Mississippi Delta, these Nashville gals found their way to Music City and changed America for good. With voices as big as their hearts, and in some cases their hair, they sang from the battlefields of life, love, and heartache in the Deep South. Melissa and her band feature such hits as "Walkin' After Midnight," "Coal Miner's Daughter," "Stand by Your Man" and "Jolene."

Melissa is a Nashville-based singer, actress, teaching artist, and producer. Her honey-dripping vocals may be heard in virtually every genre from classical musicals to the vintage pop sounds of the '50s, '60s and '70s. Inspired by strong women in the industry, Melissa created Soul Picnic Productions, and in addition to Back to the Garden has produced August 1969: A Tribute to the Women of Woodstock, featuring the music of Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Grace Slick, and Melanie; and Mind the Gap, featuring the British Soul Sisters Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Amy Winehouse and Adele. Known for her heartfelt performances and comedic chops, Hammans has been praised for her work as an actor on stages in New York City, around the country, and across the globe, in productions including Company, Smokey Joe's Café, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Shout, Nunsense, And the World Goes 'Round, and more. Melissa is a graduate of Indiana University.

NASHVILLE GAL will be presented on Saturday, April 14, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m. A talkback with the artist follows the Sunday matinee.

Summer heats up when ALL THIS TIME hits the Rubicon stage in June starring married couple Megan McGinnis and Adam Halpin. Opposites attract, especially musically, and this concert is no exception when Megan's classical training and Adam's contemporary stylings come together in a concert of songs by The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim.

Rubicon fans will remember Megan for creating the role of Jerusha Abbott in the World Premiere of Daddy Long Legs, for which she received an Ovation Award. She has since played the role in London at the St. James Theatre, and across the U.S, garnering a Chicago Jeff Nomination, Boston IRNE Award, Elliot Norton award and Cincinnati Entertainer of the Year Award. She has also been seen as Betty Cratchit and Mercy Pecksniff in the World Premiere of Little Miss Scrooge at Rubicon. Megan's Broadway credits include Eponine in Les Misérables, Beth in Little Women, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, and The Diary of Anne Frank. Her national tours include Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Liesl in The Sound of Music and Lily in James Joyce's The Dead. Film and TV credits include "A Goofy Movie," "Anywhere But Here," "Wings," "Blossom" and "Sister, Sister." Megan may be heard on the original cast recordings of Daddy Long Legs and Little Women, and on Sutton Foster's CD "Wish." She has a B.A. in English from Columbia University.

Adam co-starred with his wife Megan in Daddy Long Legs and Dogfight at Second Stage Off-Broadway. He made his Broadway debut in Glory Days. Adam was in the 2009 Broadway tour of Rent as Gordon with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, as well as the most recent Off-Broadway production of Rent. Other NY credits include workshops/readings of Irma La Douce, Awesomer & Awesomer, White Noise, and three productions with the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Regionally, Adam has been seen at North Shore Music Theatre, Signature Theatre (VA) and Pittsburgh CLO, among others, and is also on the cast recording of A Little Princess (Ghostlight Records).

ALL THIS TIME will be presented for two-performances, Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. (followed by a talkback).

The Goldenson Broadway Concert Series wraps up in September with David Burnham and Tami Tappan in BROADWAY AND BEYOND. This musical reunion brings these beloved and talented artists together in their first cabaret show. The concert features music from Wicked, Jersey Boys, South Pacific, Carousel, Beautiful, West Side Story and more from the Great White Way and the American Songbook.

David was last seen on Broadway in the mega-hit musical, Wicked, playing Fiyero, a role that he originated in the developmental workshops of the show. He is an original Broadway cast member of the musical The Light in the Piazza, performing both on the Tony Awards and the PBS telecast "Live From Lincoln Center." He is the recipient of the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor as well as a Garland Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Fabrizio in the National Tour of The Light in the Piazza. David first gained critical acclaim when he was chosen to replace Donny Osmond as Joseph in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Drama-Logue Award). He toured nationally in another Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster playing Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar. He recently starred Off-Broadway in the Rubicon Drama Desk Award-winning transfer of The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music f Cy Coleman, and just completed a run in Showstoppers at The Wynn in Las Vegas. David was the voice of the Prince in the Warner Bros. animated feature "The King And I," and may be heard on the soundtracks to "Ghepetto," "Home on The Range" and Comedy Central's "South Park." David performs with symphonies all over the country and his solo concert has been performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe. David has recorded two solo albums, his self-titled CD and "One Day." In his off-hours, David works extensively with kids through vocal and acting workshops and hosts a summer program for young artists called "Camp Sing."

Tami Tappan grew up in Washington, D.C., where she received the Helen Hayes Award for Supporting Actress in Lydie Breeze by John Guare. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, and was seen on Broadway as Ellen in Miss Saigon, a role she also performed in Los Angeles. Tami was last seen at Rubicon in her Ovation-nominated performance in Side by Side by Sondheim, and was also seen as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire (2003 Ovation Nomination). Other regional credits include Sarah in Guys and Dolls for Musical Theatre West, Queenie in The Wild Party for Musical Theatre Guild, Diva #1 in Swing! at South Bay CLO and Polly in Crazy For You at Musical Theatre West (2003 Ovation Nomination). Her favorite roles include Princess Leonide in Triumph of Love (Santa Barbara CLO), Kathy in Singin' in the Rain (Musical Theatre West), Woman 1 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Musical Theatre West, La Mirada), and Shirley in Lady Be Good (La Fenice Opera, Venice, Italy). TV credits include "3rd Rock from the Sun," "The Making of a Hollywood Madam" and "The Drew Carey Show." She may be heard as the singing voice of Cinderella in Disney's DVD of "Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time" and as Cinderella on "The Princess Tea Party Album." Tami has a solo CD for LMI Music, "Hot Notes" and has performed in concerts all over the U.S.

BROADWAY AND BEYOND will be presented for two-performances-only on Saturday, September 29, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 30, at 2 p.m. A talkback with the artists follows the Sunday matinee.

VIP Rubicon Experience

For those who love to mix and mingle with the artists, the VIP Experience includes a post-show reception with the concert stars, a complimentary 5 oz. glass of premium Rubicon estate- grown wine created by film director Francis Ford Coppola, and gourmet hors d'oeuvres. The VIP Experience is limited to 25 attendees.

Broadway Concert Series Ticket Prices:

Single Tickets: $55

New Subscribers: $46.75 per ticket ($233.75 for all 5) - Save 15%

Students: $35 per ticket ($175 for all five) - Valid ID required up to age 22

VIP Experience: (Sunday matinees only - limited to 25) $135 per ticket ($675 for all 5)

A limited number of concert sponsorships and co-sponsorships are available. Those interested in joining Janet and Mark L. Goldenson in support of making more music at Rubicon may contact Amber Landis-Stover at (805) 667-2912, ext. 237 or e-mail her at alandis-stover@rubicontheatre.org.